Adjustable water spray nozzle



July 3, 1956 Filed March 10, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 fiW A 9 2m July 3, 1956 .J. F. MATARESE ADJUSTABLE WATER SPRAY NOZZLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Jase/,4 Fflfirmfli mil Filed March 10, 1953 (ZWQMM 4rraeva 5 Jully 3, 1956 J. F. MATARESE ADJUSTABLE WATER SPRAY NOZZLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 10, 1953 ADJUSTABLE WATER SPRAY NOZZLE Joseph F. Matarese, Burlington, N. J., assignor to United Aero Products, lino, Burlington, N. .L, a corporation of New Jersey Application March re, 1953, Serial No. 341,543

2 Claims. or. 299 130 The present invention relates to nozzles, in particular to a combination solid stream and fog type nozzle for water having an instantaneous quick acting fog control suiliciently reliable, durable, and mechanically simple to render it feasible for fire fighting in many cases, especially in combating Class A and Class B fires, it is essential rapidly to change the character of a water discharge from a straight and solid stream to a wide angle and finely divided fog as well as to provide for adjustments in between these extremes. By the provison of an instantaneous and quick acting control for adjusting a nozzle from a normally shut-ofi' position to a partially open position yielding a wide angle fog, and then to a full open position providing a concentrated stream, it is possible to give a fire fighter full protection.

That is, by the use of the wide angle fog it is possible to erect a curtain of water, cool the surrounding area and to knock down existing smoke. The arrangement for decreasing the fog angle and increasing the force of the stream then allows the fire fighter to narrow the stream of water, to observe the fire and to direct the narrow stream at the fire.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel fog-control nozzle permitting instantaneous adjustment of a water stream from a shut-off position to a wide angle fog and thereafter facilitating rapid return to a narrow angle stream. I11 accordance with this aspect of the invention, it is possible to vary the fog angle from as little as 15 to as much as 120 instantaneously and with a minimum use of water.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a spray control nozzle assuring the immediate availability of a solid stream of water, yet permitting switchover to a finely dispersed stream having a predetermined angular spread.

in meeting the aforementioned requirements, it is essential that some of the most important of the basic design considerations for fire fighting equipment be met; particularly, reliability by the provision of direct acting mechanisms constructed for all practical purposes to preclude jamming; durability to avoid unnecessary wear and water leakage such as is accompanied by imperfect seating of valve components and the like; and positive action with simple controls allowing for rapid, yet accurate, adjustment.

Therefore, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a water nozzle having provision for adjusting the spray angle yet meeting the basic requirements of reliability, durability, and positive action through simple controls.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a nozzle having a simplified spray control which can be relied upon to effectively apply Water in a predeter mined spray pattern to a fire.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a self-cleaning device wherein the solid stream tes Patent 0 'ice 2 and fog path are the same so that the solid stream may be used to clean the fog path.

Briefly, and in accordance with the principles of the present invention, certain of the aforesaid objects, as well as others which will become apparent, are realized by the provision of a nozzle embodying a body formed with an elongated passage having an inlet end adapted to be connected to a source of water under pressure. Traversing the passage is a cylindrical valve seat in which is rotatably mounted a bipartite valve movable between shut-off and full open positions. The two parts of the bipartite valve cooperate to define a waterway registered with the passage in the full open position of the valve and permit egress of water to the outlet end of the valve.

By the arrangement of the bipartite valve the hydraulic pressure existing within the body when connected to a source of water is employed to assure positive seating of the valve proper in the complementary valve seat. The valve is self-compensating and self-sealing within the valve seat.

As a further feature of the present invention, a guided stream spray control unit is arranged along the flow path of the watertoward the outlet end of the valve body, this unit being arranged to obtain the required control over the water stream from the wide angle fog with a highly dispersed stream to the narrow angle fog with the highly concentrated stream. This spray control unit advanta geously includes a stream guide which directs no water toward a spray control tip arranged to coact with an adjacent nozzle part of the body to obtain the required control over the spray angle.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a balanced connection and drive is provided for the spray control unit which imparts desired controlling movements to the latter in accordance with the position of the valve without substantial interference with flow of water toward the outlet. This balanced drive minimizes the possibility of jamming incident to employing unbalanced constructions.

As a still further feature, the main valve directly drives the spray control valve by a direct acting lug and slot connection between the valve and the balanced drive for the spray control valve.

The balanced drive for the spray control valve is housed and guided in the casting which forms the main nozzle body and is positioned outside of the main water passage.

As a still further feature of the present invention, the main valve and all associated movable parts of the nozzle are operated by a single external U-shaped handle which may be readily manipulated from the full closed position to the full open position and to any desired position between, means being arranged to releasably position the handle in selected positions to assure adjustment to the desired spray angle without trial and error.

The foregoing and many other objects of the invention will become apparent in the following description and drawings in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a novel combination stream and 'fog control nozzle embodying features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line 2-2 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 of Figure I looking in the direction of the arrows and showing the nozzle in the shut-off position.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the various constructional details of the assembled nozzle of Figures 1 to 3.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-'5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a transverse view, with parts broken away,

taken along the line 66 of Figure l and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a sectional view similar to Figure 2 and showing the valve in the fully opened position.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary and enlarged sectional view showing the valve in the fully closed position; a wide angle fog position, a narrow angle fog position, and a full open position being illustrated by the broken lines.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional detail showing the mechanisms by which the handle can be locked in selected positions of its adjustment.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, there is shown a combination stream and fog nozzle embodying features of the present invention and including an elongated valve body 10, formed with an internal passage 12 between the ends thereof. At one end of the valve body there is provided an internally threaded attaching collar 14 adapted to be joined to an appropriate hose coupling for introducing water under pressure to the passage 12 of the valve body 10 for movement therethrough along a predetermined flow path corresponding substantially to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical passage 12.

Intermediate the ends of the passage 12 is a transversely extending valve seat 16 which is generally cylindrical and communicates with the passage proper via openings 18, 20. Formed concentrically of the cylindrical seat 16 are bearing seats 22, 24. The bearing part 24 is formed in a threaded plug 26 serving as one end of the valve seat 16 when secured within the threaded opening 28 in the valve body 10. A suitable washer 30' is provided to assure a perfect seal between the plug 26 and the valve body 10.

Arranged within the valve seat 16 is a bipartite plug valve, generally designated by the reference numeral 32, which includes a body proper 34 and a segmental insert 36. The body is provided with opposed expansion slots 38, 38 cooperating with complementary portions of the segmental insert 36 when the latter is brought into position to complete the general cylindrical contour of the plug valve 32. When the two parts of the valve 32 are assembled, they cooperate to define a waterway 40 therethrough adapted to register with the openings 18, to permit the unimpeded passage of water from the inlet 14 through the passage 12 of the valve body 10.

Projecting outwardly of and arranged concentrically to the valve body 34 are the integral trunnions 42, 44 which are adapted to be journaled within the bearing seats 22, 24 when the valve is assembled within the seat 16. Supported within peripheral notches on the trunnions 42, 44 are sealing rings 46, 48 which cooperate with the hearing seats 22, 24 to provide a fluid tight seal between the plug valve 32 and the valve body 10.

Assembly of the plug valve 32 and the valve body 10 is efifected by means of the screws 50, 52 which are received within threaded openings 54, 56 provided in integral projections 58, 60 on the respective trunnions 42, 44.

Traversing the end of the valve body 10 remote from the internally threaded collar 14 is an adapter plate 62 which is drilled for attachment to the valve body 10 by means of screws 64. The adapter plate 62 carries an integral externally threaded nipple or extension 66 arranged to support a nozzle 68 provided with internal threading 70 complementary to the threaded extension 66.

Within the adapter plate 62 and the extension 66 is a guide sleeve 72 supported along the longitudinal axis of the passage 12, which corresponds to the center of the water flow, by radially extending ribs 74. The guide sleeve 72 is adapted to receive one of the connecting members for a stream and spray control, operated in dependence upon the relative position of the valve 32 by a balanced internal connecting and drive mechanism which substantially does not interfere with the flow of water from the inlet 14 toward the nozzle 68.

The unit for directing the stream of water toward the location at which the fog angle can be controlled includes a conical spray tip 76 which normally has its apex projecting outwardly of the nozzle 68, as best seen in Figures 2 and 3, and having its base adjacent a tapered water deflecting wall 78 defining the outlet opening which is seen to converge from a larger diameter opening to a constricted opening 80. The base 76a of the spray control tip is disposed outwardly of the constricted opening 80 and upon movement inwardly and along the flow path causes the spray angle to approach an appropriate value for a wide angle fog, further backward movement bringing the spray angle to a narrow angle fog and finally to a concentrated stream in which the tip 76, although present along the flow path, does not effect the stream of water. Disposed rearwardly of the conical spray tip is a cylindrical stream guide 82 having an outer diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the constricted opening 80, the guide sleeve being hollow and supported by radial ribs 84 on a common control spindle 86 with the conical spray tip 76. The stream guide, during movement of the spray tip 76 through its various operative positions, cooperates with the spray control tip to direct the water toward the latter at which the fog angle is accurately controlled.

The control spindle 86 supporting the stream guide and spray control unit 76, 82 is coordinated to the valve by the provision of guide and coupling rods or members 88, 90 which are laterally off-set relative to and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the passageway 12 and are supported in suitable bores 92, 94 provided in the valve body 10. The bores 92, 94 extend inwardly from the end of the valve body to which the adapter plate 62 is secured. Supported in suitable circumferential grooves on the slide members 88, 90 are sealing rings 96, 98 which coact with the adjacent bounding walls of the bores 92, 94 to preclude the entry of water into the bores to avoid building up hydraulic pressure therein.

The slidably supported guide and coupling rods are rigidly connected together in the chamber defined behind the adapter plate 62 by a connecting bracket 100, including an enlarged head 102 arranged substantially along the flow path and in axial alignment with the operating spindle 86, the head 102 carrying outwardly divergent arms 104, 106 fixed to the members 38, 90. The enlarged head 102 is provided with a suitable axial threaded opening 108 which receives the threaded end 86a of the operating spindle 86, thereby providing a rigid coupling between the operating spindle 86 and the balanced and offset slide members 88, 90.

An operative and positive acting connection is provided between the valve and the slide members 83 by integrally forming legs or projections 110, 112 on the segmental insert 36 of the plug valve 32, the lugs 110, 112 being shaped substantially complementary to appropriate downwardly opening slots or notches 114, 116 provided in the adjacent and overlying parts of the slide members 88, 90. Accordingly, as the valve 32 is rotated from its shut-off or fully closed position to its fully open position, suitable motion is imparted to the combination stream guide and spray control on the operating spindle 86.

In order to allow for an initial adjustment of the fog pattern and to efiectively position the spindle initially. there is provided an externally threaded bushing 118 which is received within the guide sleeve 72 and provided with an internal bore thercthrough for the slidable support therein of the operating spindle 86. The guide bushing 118 is threaded and adjustable longitudinally in guide 72 so that the stop 120 carried thereby may be set for the proper fog angle. The lock nut 122 on the external thread of bushing 113 may then be tightened against the end of guide '72 to lock the bushing and its stop 120 in the adjusted position.

The fog pattern or the spray angle at every position of the operating handle is determined by the initial setting. If the initial setting is correct, then the condition or angle of the fog or spray for any position of the operating handle will be in accordance with a predetermined pattern.

Surrounding the operating spindle 86 is a coil spring 124 having one end bearing against the rearward end of the cylindrical stream guide 82 and having the other end bearing against the fixed stop 12%.

In order to rotate the cylindrical valve 32 from the fully closed position illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 to the fully open position illustrated in Figure 7, a suitable U-shaped handle or yoke 126 is provided having connecting plates 128, 130 on the opposite ends thereof, these plates being formed with milled slots 132 and openings for the screws 5t), 52. The integral extensions 58, 60 arranged outwardly of the trunnions 42, 44 are milled to provide suitable flats adapted to be nested within the slots 132, whereupon assembly of the entire mechanism may be accomplished by the screws or bolts 50, 52. The U-shaped handle 126 includes a grip part 134, suitably legended with the terms Open and Closed, the appropriate indications being uppermost when the handle is in the corresponding position.

In order to permit accurate adjustment of the handle 126 into the appropriate position to obtain the desired spray pattern, one or both of the enlarged plates or heads 128, 130 are provided with spring biased balls or detents, best seen in Figure 9 and designated by the reference numeral 136. These detents are adapted to be biased into appropriate seats provided at spaced locations on the valve body proper along the arcuate path traversed by the detents or balls as the handle is moved from the fully shut-off position of Figures 2 and 3 to the fully open position of Figure 7.

Reference will now be made to Figure 8 wherein there is shown the handle 126 in its various positions of angular adjustment for obtaining the desired configuration of the stream emitted by the nozzle 68. Specifically, the handle is illustrated by the full lines, designated by the letter S and in the shut-elf position, corresponding to complete closure of the passageway 12 and arrangement of the spray guide and control in the positions of Figures 2 and 3. Rotation of the handle in the counterclockwise direction to the intermediate position designated by the letter 1 partially opens the valve and displaces the spray pattern control appropriately to obtain the desired wide angle fog pattern which may reach approximately 120. Further displacement of the handle in the counterclockwise direction into the position I will narrow the fog angle allowing the fire fighter to view the area to be covered, further movement of the handle bringing same into the full open position, designated by the letter O. In each of these positions, suitable depressions can be provided in the positioning plate 30 cooperating with the spring biased detent 136 to assure positive locking of the handle, yet permitting ready disengagement of the handle for movement to further positions as is desired. This arrangement permits use of plate 30 singly or in pairs on opposite sides of the valve body.

As many stops as may be useful for the intended function may be included. Whether or not stops are used, the initial position (full clockwise position of the handle with respect to Figure 8) will be the shut-off position. The next position counterclockwise of the handle (with respect to Figure 8) will be the fog curtain position, that is, finely divided water particles driven at an angle equal to the angle of wall 78 and creating a protective curtain. At each successive counterclockwise position of the handie, the water volume increases and the pressure decreases and the fog angle becomes smaller until at the full counterclockwise position of the handle a solid stream of water is ejected. The handle is so constructed that it may be swung instantaneously from full fog to solid stream position or to and from any position in between.

The threaded end 14 of the hose may be provided with a set of adapters each threaded externally to engage the end 14 and each threaded internally to receive hose coupling members of selected size.

In view of the foregoing, it can be seen that the bipartite valve construction advantageously employs the water pressure present within the nozzle to assure positive closure of the passage despite necessary manufacturing tolerances .and changes in curvature or dimensions incident to wear. Additionally, the integral lugs or extensions on the plug valve for operating the balanced nozzle stream control furnishes a wear-proof and simple construction not requiring constant attention and surveilance. As a further advantage the balanced slide construction, arranged substantially out of the main stream of water, precludes rotation of the driving rnechanism and obviates the difiiculty of jamming incident to minor misalignment. The stream control tip allows for the desired adjustment of the fog angle and coacts with the cylinder immediately therebehind to obtain proper concentration of the stream of water as the latter leaves the nozzle. This accurate control of the fog pattern is coordinated through controlling mechanisms to the valve, the drive being simple in its construction. The provision of the positive lock mechanisms associated with the handle assures accurate adjustment to the various de sired positions.

In the foregoing I have described my invention solely in connection with specific illustrative embodiments thereof. Since many variations and modifications of my invention will now be obvious to those skilled in the art, I prefer to be bound not by the specific disclosures herein contained but only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a spray type nozzle, a body provided with a passage having an inlet and adapted to be connected to a source of water under pressure and an outlet end, said outlet end being arranged concentrically of the flow path of water through said passage and having an inwardly tapered water deflecting wall, a valve traversing said flow path and journaled within a seat formed within said body for movement from a closed position to an open position, and a combined stream guide and spray control unit arranged along said flow path and movable therealong relative to said outlet end in response to movement of said valve, said unit including a forwardly projecting conical spray tip having a rearwardly directed base and a hollow cylindrical stream guide spaced from and in alignment with said spray tip, said stream guide being arranged rearwardly of said outlet end when said valve is in said closed position, said spray tip being arranged forwardly of said outlet end when said valve is in said closed position and being movable relative to said water deflecting wall as said valve is brought to open position to vary the spray angle of the stream coming from said outlet end.

2. In a spray type nozzle, a body provided with a passage, an inlet end adapted to be connected to a source of water under pressure, an outlet end for said passage arranged concentrically of the flow path of water through said passage and having an inwardly tapered water defleeting wall, a valve traversing said flow path and journaled within a seat formed within said body for movement from a closed position to an open position, and an adjustable stream guide and spray control unit arranged along said flow path and movable therealong relative to said outlet end in response to movement of said valve, said unit including a spindle, a forwardly projecting conical spray tip on said spindle having a rearwardly directed base, a hollow cylindrical stream guide on said spindle in alignment with and rearwardly of said spray tip, said stream guide being arranged rearwardly of said outlet end when said valve is in said closed position, said spray tip being arranged forwardly of said outlet end when said valve is in said closed position and being movable relative to said Water deflecting wall as said valve is brought to open position to vary the spray angle of the stream coming from said outlet end, a guide bushing for said spindle, resilient means operatively connected to said spindle and guide bushing for urging said tip and guide into a predetermined position, and means for mounting said guide bushing for initial adjustment along said flow path whereby the predetermined position of said tip and guide can be adjusted.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS France Mar. 

